The Washington Wizards will face its first significant hurdle just as they have caught some momentum to start the season. Backup point guard Delon Wright will be out indefinitely with a Grade 2 strain of his right hamstring, the team announced Thursday.
Wright’s injury occurred in the fourth quarter of the Wizards’ 120-99 win Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons. The team says he will be re-evaluated in approximately three weeks. However, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports Wright could be out for six to eight weeks.
Delon Wright, who joined the Wizards this season on a two-year, $16 million deal, has been a great addition coming off the bench. Wright has averaged 6.5 points, 3.3 assists, 2.8 steals, and 2.5 rebounds in 22.8 minutes in four games.
Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. has relied on Wright at the end of games for his defensive prowess and decision-making on offense over starter Monte Morris.
Still, the Morris and Wright combination has been highly productive for the Wizards early on. The pair is averaging 17 points and 8.5 assists, splitting 48 minutes combined.
Without Wright, Unseld will have to find someone to run the point and offset star shooting guard Bradley Beal behind Morris.
Could Will Barton be an option? His versatility allows him to bring the ball up the court. The Wizards could also expand rookie Johnny Davis’ role. The lottery pick made his NBA debut Tuesday, playing three minutes.
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